Biden's Quartz Watch

 Biden's quartz watch...

It's a chronograph and it's a Seiko but... it's a quartz watch and quartz watches are dumb and unteresting watches for un-discerning people compared to pure mechanicals and in this case there is its owner who most likely can be trusted with remembering how hand-winding a watch works so gets a quartz watch hung on him by whoever dresses him.

Watch of the day Seiko 5

Watch of the day today January 07, 2020 is this Seiko 5.

The watch is cataloged on the blog.

And it's only about 20 years old!

1982 Seiko TV watch

1982 Seiko TV watch

Seiko 5 Etching on Seiko 5 Crystal at 18 hrs

Three Collectible Seikos on Amazon

Seiko watches have always been very popular and highly collectible.

In my view, as regards the current Seiko watches that you can buy new, the most collectible and at the same time affordable are the Seiko Monsters (divers) (so unofficially called), the Cocktail Time and the Alpinist. 

All of them can be found on Amazon, for example, also with some internet sellers.

Though it has to be said that Seiko itself is not much into Internet sales, similarly to other premium watch brands.

The Monster (unofficial name)

Seiko Monsters are on Amazon here - Seiko Monsters.

The Orange Monster, a new version

The Alpinist (a semi-official name, used to be spelled on dials but no longer, still known as same).

Unlike Monsters, it is a rarer JDM (Japan domestic market) model which Seiko doesn't sell officially abroad (supposedly) only in Japan.

Here is a green Seiko Alpinist on Amazon

Seiko Cocktail Time Shinobu Ishigaki watch (I think it's an official name)

Seiko Cocktail Time Shinobu Ishigaki on Amazon

Beautiful watch, even if these pictures don't do it justice...

Popular Seiko Watches - 3 Models on Amazon

Seiko watches have always been very popular and highly collectible.

In my view, as regards current Seiko watches that you can buy new, the most collectible are the Seiko Monsters (divers) (so unofficially called), the Cocktail Time and the Alpinist. 

All of them can be found on Amazon, for example, also with some internet sellers. Though it has to be said that Seiko itself is not much into Internet sales, similarly to other premium watch brands.

The Monster (unofficial name)

Seiko Monsters are on Amazon here - Seko Monsters.

The Orange Monster, a new version

The Alpinist (a semi-official name, used to be put on dials but no longer, still known as same); unlike Monsters, it is a rarer JDM (Japan domestic market) model.

Here is a green Seiko Alpinist on Amazon

Seiko Cocktail Time Shinobu Ishigaki watch (I think it's an official name)

Seiko Cocktail Time Shinobu Ishigaki on Amazon

Beautiful watch, these pictures don't do it justice...

Website: SEIKO 5 Finder

Internet browsing yielded another watch related website which looks good and potentially useful.

SEIKO 5 Finder (link to site) is, as far as I can see, an enthusiast website on Seiko Fivers.

It offers info, search tips, pictures, advice, probably customization.

I am adding it to my collection of WWW watch related links which is on the right hand pane, scroll down to see.

My own Seiko 5 out of the year 2001 is here: ten years after: my seiko 5

It was after viewing the site that I realized that the "5" in Seiko 5 allegedly stands for 5 qualities:

1. Automatic winding
2. Day/date displayed in a single window
3. Water resistance
4. Recessed crown at the 4 o’clock position
5. Durable case and bracelet

As regards current Seiko 5s, they are certainly on my radar.

What I don't like about them is that they are much pricier now than they use to be, also seem to have round or rounded cases whereas I prefer the 1970=80s look - square, angular cases, faces etc. 

But what I definitely like about current Seiko Fivers is their display case backs.

My Seiko 5 ca. 2001

Seiko 5 movie

Water Resistance Marks on Watches

Here's a look at some water resistance marks on some of my watches.

According to Wikipedia, Water Resistant is a common mark stamped on the back of wrist watches to indicate how well a watch is sealed against the ingress of water. 

Any water resistance mark is better than none. One assumes that, if there is no such mark, the watch is not "sealed against the ingress of water", with most watches being in this category even now.

It has to be said though that the whole water resistance mark thing in watches had resisted standardization for a long time until some recent past, and some claims of water resistance had to be taken with skepticism but now there are at least two ISO standards dealing with the matter, though they are not universally applied, even in this day and age.

Watches from the Soviet and now Russian periods may continue to use non-standard water resistance marks. Here is a look at such marks and what they mean on the example of some of my own watches.

This Slava 3050 says Водонепроницаемые on the back which literally means "water-proof" as in "impermeable to water". But in reality it at best corresponds to the current standard of Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only and NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkeling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly not suitable for diving.

Two Zaria 3105.01 moon phase watches. The water resistance mark here says Водозащищенные which literally means "water protected" and in actual fact probably means same as above - Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only. NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkeling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly not suitable for diving. 

However, I should note that the back on those Zarias is very tight requiring a watchmaker's press to snap it back after you open it and there is also a rubber seal and some water repellent lubricant in the crown stem assembly. You could probably take a shower wearing it with no consequences.

Komandirskie 2416b above. Says Водонепроницаемые as in Slava 3050 above. But in this case I am willing to bet it corresponds to at least Water Resistant 5 ATM or 50 m, that is, suitable for swimming, white water rafting, non-snorkeling water related work, and fishing but NOT suitable for diving.

I showered with it on once myself no problem, except it's not good for the pressed leather strap, even though it is supposed to be water repellent treated. 

Slava 2416 Flotskie, above. Marine-themed, as Flotskie means of, or pertaining to, Fleet or Navy. The water resistant mark here says Повышенная водозащита which means "increased water protection" and there's a picture of a cute little dolphin for good measure on the back. Water born- and sea-dwelling creatures are often used to indicate water protection and not only in Russian watches. In this case we have also only basic water resistance as in Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only.

My Sturmanskie Strela 3133 Volmax mech chrono. Says Водонепроницаемые 30м, that is, exactly this: Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, meaning splash/rain resistant only, and NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkelling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly NOT suitable for diving. 

Also it is a mechanical pusher-operated chronograph and mechanical chronographs and water typically don't mix in any combination with few exceptions. 

A whole bunch of three Vostok Amphibias. These are the most water resistant Russian watches (second only to military spec Zlatoust divers). The back says Водонепроницаемые 200 м, i.e. Water Resistant 20 ATM or 200 m, meaning suitable for professional marine activity, serious surface water sports and skin diving and suitable for skin diving. Some even claim that they are more than that and can be used as professional divers but I have my doubts.

My experience, however, suggests these watches are good for a hot tub, sauna, steam bath, swimming pool -- used them in all of those places with no ill effect at least in the immediate aftermath. Though I replace them after about 3-4 years of use but never service.

And here's a bonus - my Seiko 5 cal. 7s26 of 2001 vintage below. The water mark here is again the non-standard WP probably meaning "water protected" - the most basic water protection offered by Seiko probably again corresponding to the current standard of Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only. NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkelling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly not suitable for diving.

Watches on Amazon.com

Some good watches can found on Amazon.

VOSTOK EUROPE

As a collector, the bulk of whose collection is Russian / Soviet watches (although not exclusively, and I am looking to expand), I thought I'd mention Vostok Europe offerings on Amazon.

But with reservations.

I think their current models are not as good as as their previous ones. In the recent past they made some truly stunning watches.

But the current lineup is at best mediocre, I think. Also, they are very expensive, and there aren't that many positive reviews.  So bear it in mind.

Caspian Sea Monster, Vostok cal. 2432, highly overpriced but with Tritium (triga-lite or something).

Vostok Europe GAZ 14 Limousine



Vostok Europe North Pole Expedition, cal. 2432



Vostok Europe Arktika, with a display caseback, Vostok movement. This is the one I would buy if I had that kind of money. 

There are also these models in different variants and other models. As I said these are not particularly "good deals" (but the next one (below) is).

SEIKO

From Seiko's lineup on Amazon the following deserve a mention.

The best offer on Amazon from Seiko (and amongst any watches really) is this Seiko Black Monster -- a classic diver's (type) watch with a huge following, and it IS a good deal price-wise. 

You Can Mod This Seiko to Be Any Watch You Want It to Be | Gadget Lab | WIRED

You Can Mod This Seiko to Be Any Watch You Want It to Be | Gadget Lab | WIRED

Nice one on the Seiko 5 if a bit condescending - "The Seiko 5 probably is the best watch you’ve never heard of".

Like its luxury-oriented Swiss counterpart, the Model 5 had a metal band and an automatic movement that eliminated the daily winding ritual. It was also water resistant and ridiculously over-engineered: The mainspring was made from a nearly unbreakable alloy called Diaflex; an ingenious shock absorption system protected the movement from violent impact; and the patented Hardlex crystal was virtually shatterproof. More than just being rugged, the Seiko 5 had style. The stainless steel lugs were brushed, the day and date were displayed in the same window (a novel idea in those days), and the crown, recessed behind the 4 o’clock position, gave the case a clean look.

I have a Seiko fiver too, have had it for 12 years. It's in my collection list on the right-hand panel. 

Not everyone is so enthusiastic about them though.

Ten Years + After: My Seiko 5

From my collection is this Seiko 5, an affordable automatic watch and now more than 12 years old, ref. SKWX55K, with a cal. 7S26 movement, and namely Seiko 5 7s26-8760 (first series of numbers (and one letter) stands for the movement caliber, the second designates case modification).

 

Bought by me personally in early 2002 here in Moscow and it cost me RUB 1,590 which is about US$50.  

It was sold without a box or anything just a little clear plastic bag but there was a seiko manual and a tag with the ref number and the caliber designation as you can see below. 

A stainless steel case.

There is even some water resistance as you can see on the back -- WP which stands, most likely, for water protected which is Seiko's most basic water protection strictly against splashes and rain, nothing more.

There is also a number -- 155021 -- which allows you to date the watch, 1 stands for the first year in a decade, which in this case has got to be 2001, while 5 stands for the month of May. No idea what the other cyphers stand for (if anything), and I bought it in March 2002.

Seiko 5's cheap bracelet which I found to be not quite as cheap as people make out. It is an OK bracelet as far as I am concerned. 

Out of curiosity I made some searches on the internet to see if I could find the watch. Well I found lots of similar watches but not quite the same. But then in 2009 someone in Belgium was selling the same watch, but with a white dial and in a condition much worse than mine for the whole of US$ 100.

Also on Rakuten another Seiko 5 7s26-8760 with the same watch case (to which the number 8760 attests) but with a different dial and markers and minus the bracelet was sold for US$ 120, with the strap being not original, someone nicked the bracelet.

So does it mean that I bought my watch for US$50 in 2002 and now -- 12 years later -- can sell it from US$100 to US$120?

What can you say about the caliber 7s26?

The movement is very popular, strictly meaning -- widespread, because Seiko used to put it in many of its watch models and apparently continues to do so, even though there is already a replacement. And it was used not only in cheaper Seiko 5s but also in rather more expensive real diver's watches such as the Seiko Monster.  

It is an automatic movement, which winds from the motion of your hand, the autowind module is very reliable and simple -- consists of only three parts. But there is no handwinding. The lack of handwinding makes this movement also one of the cheapest, especially taking into account its automatic assembly line production.

However the absence of the handwinding feature opens Seiko to accusations of excessive cheapness.

This watch will not suit every one. As it happened to me. I don't wear watches 10-12 hours a day every single day of the week. So the autowind was unable to maintain power. Also the lack of handwind is unlikely to be appreciated by those who have multiple wearable watches and rotate them as I do too. For this reason I did not wear this watch much and it spent upwards of 10 years in my desk. But it looks almost like new and you just have to move it a little for it to start counting time.

This 7s26 caliber has no hack feature either, but you can imitate it to good effect using so called back-hack (or poor man's hack), all you need to do is to make a little pressure on the winding crown while it is in hand-setting position, in reverse to the movement of hands. For example, you may want to do it if you want to set your watch very precisely (to the second). Though it is not recommended apparently.

Link: Seiko Catalog 2011-12

Seiko Catalog Australia 2011-2012, link opens a large PDF file.

Many Seiko models, some info, product matrix and even instructions for some models, 90 pages, many pictures and... funny prices too!

Link: Guide to Seiko's Main Collectible Wristwatches

An excellent Spanish watch forum thread on Seiko's main models (google-translated into English here).

With pictures, listed are Seiko watches with their own unofficial or semi-official (sometimes even official) names, not just letters and numbers, and they may even be arranged in alphabetical order, top to bottom. But official Seiko designations are also given, so you can easily find them, should you want to do so.

I find these "named" Seikos more interesting -- what with names like "monster", "tuna can", "alpinist", "alien", etc. Well worth a read and a look and in fact can be used as a reference, hence this post. I am definitely going to add some Seikos to my collection some time soon.

Slide Rule Watches

Interesting website on slide rule wristwatches — history, origin, survey, modern slide rule watches, including lots of pictures (if a bit slow to load but there are a lot of them).

Scarface3133 recommends.

Montreal Diary: Repairman of mechanical timepieces decides it's high time for retirement

 A human interest article about watchmaker Iwao Tsumura in Canada.

Montreal Diary: Repairman of mechanical timepieces decides it’s high time for retirement

How Swatch embraced disruptive technology to change the face of watches forever

How Swatch embraced disruptive technology to change the face of watches forever

A contentious (I thought) piece on Swatch, Swiss watchmaking, the Quartz crisis of the early 1980s.